Fish Structure

[Fly_Guy]

I had a question about missouri lakes in general, but Fellows in particular. What is the policy on sinking your own structure (like cedar trees). On a lake like fellows which doesnt have standing timber and has minimal structure, this would be helpful for crappie, I would think. What are MDC's regs on that - do you need permission like in Nebraska? Ive tried to find it, but haven't seen it on the internet. Thanks

[binman]

Not sure but with Fellow's I would think that CU would be who you would have to ask.Call the marina and ask maybe they can help more than me

[Dutch]

Since it is owned by the city of Springfield and is for drinking water, my guess is that putting cover into the water would be highly frowned upon.

[JRay]

City Utilities owns the lake and the Department of Conservation has added several brush piles in recent years. While the lake is void of standing timber it is full of submerged grass, mostly coontail moss that grows surprisingly deep. Please let us know what you find out.

[fisherman wannabe]

You can buy a map at the marina that shows the location of the brush piles that have been put in. I would ask them, I would bet they know. Let us know what you find out.

[Fly_Guy]

Well, I called about 5 or 6 people! The marina said that CU owns the land, and to try them. The lady at the marina did say that since its drinking water, MDC puts in oak structures rather than cedar. The first lady at CU directed me to the parks board, who then directed me back to CU. The second lady at CU directed me to MDC, saying that MDC handled all the habitat placement. Finally called MDC and they said that since the city actually owns the land, that they have to get approval before they put anything in the lake, complete with paperwork and suchlike. The lady at MDC said that it was a strenuous process even for MDC to put brushpiles in the lake, and that I could try calling the city, but she was sure Id be shot down. She said new brushpiles were added this winter, and to make sure you have an updated map.

Hope this helps - if you sink your own timber, do it under cover of night, and don't use cedar! Kind of a bummer really, but there you have it.

[Fly_Guy]

Well, I called about 5 or 6 people! The marina said that CU owns the land, and to try them. The lady at the marina did say that since its drinking water, MDC puts in oak structures rather than cedar. The first lady at CU directed me to the parks board, who then directed me back to CU. The second lady at CU directed me to MDC, saying that MDC handled all the habitat placement. Finally called MDC and they said that since the city actually owns the land, that they have to get approval before they put anything in the lake, complete with paperwork and suchlike. The lady at MDC said that it was a strenuous process even for MDC to put brushpiles in the lake, and that I could try calling the city, but she was sure Id be shot down. She said new brushpiles were added this winter, and to make sure you have an updated map.

Hope this helps - if you sink your own timber, do it under cover of night, and don't use cedar! Kind of a bummer really, but there you have it.

[binman]

I have fished that public access dock and I for one have got hung up and pulled Cedar limbs out numerous times and the same with the bridge on both sides are nothing but Cedar every where. The bridge I could very well see people being able to throw brush over that at night but man that's alot of brush!! I was just wondering how all that would end up there by a private party instead of the MDC. They lock up the parking lot to the dock at dark every night so you would have to carry some big time brush quite away's!!

[Fly_Guy]

Hows the crappie fishing at the dock, btw? I would like to catch a few crappie w/out having to drive all the way to Stockton. Crappie = Tasty! My wife never liked fish - but all she'd ever had was frozen fish sticks. Now I've got her hooked on fresh trout, crappie, walleye, and white bass. The only problem is finding time and locations to go "grocery shopping" (In wife land, it's much easier to let the husband go fishing instead of mowing the lawn if hes bringing back something for supper ) And as far as timber goes - I'm sure people have thrown stuff in without seeking permission - I think it would be hard to enforce keeping people from doing it.

[binman]

From what I hear Crappie fishing that dock is not real good until dark but that's whenthey lock up the parking lot I would try off the concrete on the sides of the bridge